Abstract: A hole cutting device for rapidly and accurately recovering metal targets discovered with a metal detector, without the grass damage commonly produced by presently available target recovery techniques. The hole cutting device includes a cylindrical cutting tube for cutting and capturing a plug of grass and soil according to the detected depth of a target, a handle for driving the cylindrical cutting tube into the ground, thereby creating a cylindrical hole in the ground centered about the target, a depth indicator for providing an instantaneous reading of the depth of the tube cutting edge as it is rotatably driven into the ground, and a hand actuated ejection mechanism for freeing the cylindrical tube from the hole after target recovery and the reinsertion of the plug therein.

Abstract: A tine device for a soil conditioning aeration machine capable of replacing a tine with another in a simple motion. The tine is mounted onto a driving portion through a coupler having an internal member. The internal member has a body portion capable of being inserted into the tine and the coupler retains the inserted tine through movable steel balls. The steel balls are freed by pushing an outer cylinder of the coupler against the force of a coiled spring so that the tine may be removed/mounted in a simple motion.

Abstract: The sod cutting device described herein comprises a hollow sod-receiving four-sided receptacle open at the bottom and at least partially closed at the top. The receptacle has a square cross-section parallel to the bottom of the receptacle and the walls of the receptacle have knife-sharp lower edges. The top portion of this receptacle has an opening through which the lower end of a shaft is allowed to enter the receptacle. At the lower end of this shaft there is affixed perpendicularly a sod-pushing plate which is shaped and dimensioned to cover a substantial portion of the cross-section of the receptacle. The shaft is enclosed in a hollow cylindrical sleeve which is affixed at the bottom to the top portion of the sod-receiving receptacle and at its top to a handle which has an opening therein through which the top end of the shaft extends. A coil spring is positioned around the shaft, that is between the shaft and the inside of the sleeve.

Abstract: A soil aerator comprising a planetary aeration system, a frame, an attachment mechanism and a drive unit to form aeration holes the soil aerator having an attachment mechanism to allow it to be attached to a conventional farm tractor, a friction drive pulley system to permit slippage to protect the drive train if the soil aerator hits an obstruction, an adjustment mechanism to set different angles of penetration of the aeration tools into the ground to allow use of the soil aerator on different soils such as loam, clay, soft dirt and the like and a spring system to absorb impact energy as the soil aeration tools penetrate the soil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for extracting a plant, such as a weed, from the ground. The device has at least two opposed prongs, each prong tapering operatively downwardly. The tapered prongs are shaped and configured with respect to one another to in use pierce the ground and grip a plug of earth in which the plant is located between the tapered prongs. The device also has handle for moving the tapered prongs relative to the ground.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously drilling multiple holes in the earth in a selected pattern and dispensing a selected quantity of fertilizer into each hole. A support adapted to be carried by a vehicle, such as a farm tractor, carries two frameworks parallel to the vehicle track and selectively spaced from the vehicle track centerline. Each framework carries a carriage on which plural drilling assemblies are mounted. The positions of the drilling assemblies relative to each other is adjustable. The carriage is vertically moveable to allow the drilling assemblies to simultaneously drill plural holes. A dispensing assembly on the framework includes an adjustable metering device for dispensing a selected quantity of fertilizer into each hole.

Abstract: This invention is a soil backfilling device mounted on a vehicle used for producing a plurality of aeration holes in a single operation. A control is provided for metering the backfill media into a plurality of metering tubes and a second control is used for selectively disbursing the backfill from the metering tubes into the aeration holes. The backfilling device is shown in conjunction with one type of multiple aeration hole forming machine but, of course, it could be used in conjunction with other machines accomplishing the same results.

Abstract: There is described a handheld and actuated tool for making small diameter holes in the earth, comprising an elongated earth penetrating tubular member for cutting a core of earth, and a handle portion connected to the tubular member for transmitting earth penetrating and torsional forces thereto and for pulling the tubular member from the earth to remove the core of earth therein.

Abstract: A turf collecting apparatus has a pan for collecting turf plugs discharged from an aerator. The pan is rotatably mounted on a frame so that the pan is freely rotatable within the frame. The connector is located on the frame at a point so that when the aerator is moved to a raised position, the pan is freely rotatable under the force of gravity to dump the turf plugs from the pan. The pan also has a counterweight connected thereto to cause the pan to rotate back to a collecting position after the turf plugs are dumped from the pan.

Abstract: A transplanting tool for the manual extraction and planting of seedlings. The transplanting tool comprises, a digging tube, a hollow plunger slidably contained within said digging tube, a stem and a transverse piece forming a handle, and a pair of foot bars extending from the outside surface of said digging tube, at substantially opposite direction from one another. The arrangement of the components therefrom, offers a clear line of sight at the center of the hollow plunger for placing the digging tube over a seedling without damaging the plant's foliage. The angle of the foot bars is adapted to prevent strain on the user's leg, thereby facilitating altering between digging and walking motion. The transplanting tool is therefore especially suitable for extracting seedlings from rough terrains.

Abstract: A tool for use to remove weeds, especially dandelions, which comprises an open rectangular frame having an upper rod-like member defining a handle and a lower rod-like member of a length sufficient to receive the foot of an operator. This open rectangular frame gives room not only to the foot of the operator, but also to his or her knee, thereby making the tool much easier to use. The tool also comprises a tapered extraction tube externally secured to a lower lateral side of the frame. This particular positioning of the extraction tube is of particular importance, since, thanks to its eccentric position, a rotational force may be applied to it by both the hand and foot of the operator which holds the frame, respectively. Thanks to its structure, the taperated extraction tube is also self-cleaning, as it empties automatically when another plug of soil or earth containing a weed to be extracted is inserted therein.

Abstract: A power-driven golf cup cutter is provided in which a power source, such as an internal combustion engine, is used to rotate a hollow cutting cylinder by means of a drive shaft. The cylinder has a first open end with an even, single-plane sharpened edge engageable with the ground, an opposite closed and substantially solid end and has an outer peripheral surface which is continuous and smooth. An axially slidable first plate is carried on a plurality of rods extending through apertures in the solid end of the hollow cylinder, the plate engaging the ground which is to be removed. The rods are connected to a second plate member carried on and axially slidable relative to the drive shaft. The second plate is selectively moved by a user solely axially relative to the hollow cylinder and the removed ground to cause the first plate to be moved to expel the ground from within the hollow cylinder.

Abstract: A lawn and garden tool for removal of plugs of earth from the ground. The tool has a plurality of blades rigidly affixed at the lower end of an elongate shaft, an earth-receiving channel being defined between inner surfaces of the blades. The inner surfaces of the blades are arcuate, generally being congruent with the curved surface of a circular cylinder aligned with the shaft. There are ledges defined around the periphery of the channel so that when the the blades are withdrawn from the ground, a plug of earth is held within the channel. In the disclosed embodiment, each ledge is defined along a lower edge of a lateral indentation of a blade. In each blade there is a pair of axially spaced indentations and a region of the blade between the indentations is directed radially inwardly of the circular cylinder to enhance the plug withdrawal capability of the tool. An upwardly biased plunger is included for ejection of a plug withdrawn from the ground.

Abstract: A grass trimming device arranged to provide for circular removal of plug members in surrounding relationship about such components as sprinkler heads and the like is formed with a cylindrical body having continuous serrated lower edge spaced from an annular upper edge, with the cylindrical body defined about a body axis, with a handlebar mounted through the cylindrical body orthogonally relative to the axis adjacent the upper edge. The invention is arranged to include a herbicide dispensing structure selectively mounted into the cylindrical body and into the handlebar structure.

Abstract: A kit for making a lined putting hole includes a circular cup and an elongated handle including an apertured plate which engages projections on the bottom of the inverted cup for enabling the cup's chamfered upper rim to be used to cut a circular hole in the ground. The handle is made to be detachable from the cup so that the cup can be placed in the hole to form a liner. The bottom of the cup is formed to mount a flag when it is being used as a liner.

Abstract: A post hole digging tool has a semi-cylindrical blade member, an elongate handle member, and a pair of hand grip members which can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled. The blade has a top end wall and a short cylindrical reinforcing ring at its upper end and is semi-circular in transverse cross section. The bottom edge and longitudinal edges of the blade are sharpened to provide soil penetrating surfaces. A threaded collar extends upwardly from the center of the top wall. The handle member is removably connected at its lower end to the collar on the top wall of the blade and extends upwardly in axial alignment with the central axis of the blade and has a tee-shaped portion at its top end. Each hand grip member is removably connected to the lateral ends of the tee-shaped portion and may have an outer covering of resilient material to provide a comfortable gripping surface for the hands of the user and prevent blisters.

Abstract: An aerator which includes a ground-mobile support and an aerating mechanism pivotally mounted thereon. A rocker arm is mounted on the mechanism for inducing walking action to the tines, and a spring is imposed on the rocker arm for centering or neutralizing the arm when the tines are out of the ground.

Abstract: An apparatus which gathers earthen cores dug out by a boring machine operates with a main conveyor belt and auxiliary conveyor belt which are partially forced in contact with each other so as to sandwich earthen cores inbetween and transfer the cords to a collecting box. The main conveyor belt is driven by a single drive roller that has axially inclined projecting strips on the end portions so as to prevent the main conveyor belt from shifting in position.

Abstract: Aerating apparatus is provided and includes a chassis having a handle, a rotor having aerating tines rotatably mounted on the chassis, drive means for rotating the rotor, a support member rotatably mounted on the chassis for movement between a down location at which the aerating tines are out of contact with the ground and an up location at which the aerating tines are in contact with the ground, a pair of wheels mounted on the support member, first and second linkage apparatuses pivotally mounted on the chassis and moving apparatus mounted on the handle for moving the first and second linkage apparatuses to move the support member to the down or up location, adjusting apparatus for adjusting the position of the pair of wheels when the support member is at the up location and a connecting rod connecting the first and second linkage apparatuses for assuring simultaneous movement thereof.

Abstract: A hand operated aerator for cutting a plurality of holes in turf and soil to facilitate incoporation of air, water, and plant nutrients into the soil and has an upright member attached to a pan. A plurality of tubes attached to the pan are pushed into the turf and soil to cut holes therein. A foot located below the pan is operatively connected to a lever mechanism that is manually moved to extract the tubes from the turf and soil.

Abstract: This is an apparatus having a flat bottom and generally vertical walls for enclosing and containing plugs of turf discharged from a turf aerating machine. The apparatus includes a pan having a generally flat bottom and generally vertical side walls extending upwardly from the flat bottom. The pan is pivotally connected to the turf aerating machine by a hydraulic lifting apparatus, and the pan is located sufficiently close to the aerating machine to receive plugs of turf discharged from the turf aerating machine. The pan has a tilting apparatus connected thereto which allows the pan to be tilted to dump turf plugs collected therein when desired.

Abstract: A green cores collecting apparatus attachable to the rear portion of a corer vehicle comprising a housing provided with a upper laterally extending rotary shaft, a lower laterally extending rotary shaft arranged in parallel with the upper rotary shaft and a rotary elevator located between the upper and lower rotary shaft, the housing being backwardly tilted, and being further provided with a dirt ejecting aperture at its upper rear portion and a soil receiving aperture at its lower front portion, an engine being attached to the housing for driving the rotary elevator and a pair of fitting arms being rotatably fitted to lateral sides of the housing by a pair of shafts so that the fitting arms project forward and at least one of the shafts is removable. Since the fitting arms are securely fitted to the lateral sides of the green corer vehicle locking bolts, the rotary elevator automatically starts its operation as soon as the engine is started.

Abstract: A hammer driven soil coring device for use on golf course greens having a cylindrical cutting tube that has a lower cutting edge and longitudinally extending guide slots which serve as a guide for an ejector plate. Affixed to the cylindrical cutting tube is a cutter cap to which is affixed a support tube. The support tube has one vertically oriented slot. The slot serves as a guide for a stop which serves as a device to control the depth that a tamping plate achieves when the cylindrical cutting tube is driven into the surface of the green. A hand knob extends through the slot into a cylindrical rod for extending the tamping plate beyond the cylindrical cutting tube and to lock the tamping plate into a fixed position. A bubble level is located within the support tube. An impact head is located at the end of the tube with an aperture that allows the operator to view a bubble level.

Abstract: A tool for cutting hexagon turf plugs has a base secured to upright legs and a hexagon-shaped cutter. A handle is attached to the legs to facilitate moving the cutter into turf to cut a turf plug. Wedge members secured to the inside of the cutter retain a cut turf plug within the cutter. Rods and a ring attached to the base and legs cooperate with the legs and wedge members to hold stacked cut turf plugs on the tool.

Abstract: There is provided a new and useful power driven golf hole cutting apparatus comprising an engine, an elongated shaft having first and second ends and operatively connected at or near the first end to the engine and driven in rotation by the engine, and a cutter head operatively connected to the second end of the shaft whereby the head is driven in rotation by the shaft, the cutter head comprising a somewhat elongated cylindrical member having upper and open lower ends and the outside diameter of which member approximates the inside diameter of a golf hole. A plunger arrangement is provided for removing a turf plug from the cutter head.

Abstract: A transplanter with a rigid frame has a stationary handle fixed to the upper portion of the frame and an open ended earth corer rigidly fixed to the lower portion of the frame. The corer is an open ended casing of circular horizontal cross-section in which the diameter of any lower cross-section is greater than the diameter of any higher cross-section. As downward and reciprocating rotational forces are exerted on the handle and the core penetrates the earth surrounding a plant, earth nearer to the surface is compacted, facilitating removal of the corer from the earth and removal of the core from the corer. Preferably, the lower edge of the core will be serrated to facilitate the earth cutting process. An ejection assembly is manually vertically reciprocated to press the core downwardly out of the corner. The ejection assembly includes rods which hinge outwardly from the corer so as not to damage plant foliage.

Abstract: A machine for cutting holes in golf course greens having a threaded drive shaft, a motor to rotate the drive shaft, a sod cutter at the bottom of the drive shaft and adapted to rotate with the drive shaft, a clutch that can be engaged and disengaged with the threads on the drive shaft, the clutch mounted on the upper end of an ejector cylinder concentrically encasing the drive shaft and adapted to effectively move downwardly when the clutch is engaged and to float free when the clutch is disengaged, supports for the plug ejector cylinder which allow the ejector cylinder to move along the axis of the drive shaft, and an ejector plate mounted at the bottom of the drive shaft and adapted to fit inside the cutter and to effectively move downwardly through the interior of the cutter when the clutch is engaged, in order to drive out the plug of turf and dirt inside the cutter.

Abstract: A bulb and bedding planter for the manual planting of bulbs, seedlings, and bedding plants in soil, comprising an elongated hollow tube with a handle at its upper end, and a substantially enclosed hollow plunger enclosure attached to the other end. The lower end of the enclosure terminates in a tip adapted to easily penetrate the soil; its upper end extends laterally, terminating in flanges which provide a foot rest for the operator. An elongated rod with a plunger handle at its upper end and a plunger at its lower end is slidably contained within said tube. Both the plunger handle and the plunger are of diameter slightly larger than the interior of said tube, thus limiting the motion of the rod within the tube. The planter can be used rapidly and efficiently by a standing operator, thereby reducing the bending and kneeling usually associated with this activity.

Abstract: A walk-behind turf aerating apparatus includes two pairs of tine arm assemblies, each assembly having a pair of vertically reciprocating tine arms for driving coring tines into the turf. A tine arm return mechanism includes a gear box for each pair of tine arms, the lower ends of the tine arms being connected to cranks extending from the gear box to reposition the tine arms prior to ground engagement. Stops are provided to limit the tine arm travel. A spring-loaded lifting mechanism permits manual shifting of the tine arm mechanism from a lowered ground-engaging position to a raised transport position. A belt drive with clutch and reduction drive for the wheels also drives the tine arm mechanism with automatic disengagement when the wheels are in the transport position. A handle assembly is connected to the apparatus frame through a pivotal connection including vibration damping elements for minimizing transmittal of vibrations, particularly in the vertical plane, to the handle.

Abstract: A side-ejecting double coring tine includes a pair of vertically depending tine members, each having an upper end portion with a generally rectangular cross-section, a central body portion and a lower end portion having a generally circular cross-section, the central body portion having one side open for the ejection of cores therefrom, the rectangular configuration of the upper end portion providing attachment points for a crosspiece which provides additional structural rigidity to the assembly.

Abstract: A ground coring and/or aerating apparatus having a crank assembly carrying ground coring devices such that as the apparatus advances over the ground the ground coring devices periodically enter the ground and withdraw threrfrom, a skid disposed and biased to apply pressure on the surface about an opening or openings such as slots through which the ground coring devices pass, ramp members forming part of the skid to guide uplifted soil, turf or the like, down to the same level as the general bottom surface of the skid, transmission including a gearbox which enables rapid gearing adjustment, cranking assembly including two synchronized eccentric driving members each cranking through its own connecting member, the connecting members being substantially mutually at right angles, and a supporting frame on which the transmission is mounted and from which the ground coring devices and skid depend.

Abstract: A soil coring device with a core ejector mechanism that has a cylindrical cutting tube with two (2) 180 degree opposed tee slots that serve as a guide for an ejection plate, affixed to a cylindrical cutting tube is a tube with a vertically oriented slot attached perpendicularly thereto is a handle to which is affixed a bubble level. Located on the tube is a threaded locking knob that extends through the slot and communicates with a short presetting locking cylinder. Also located on the tube is a threaded locking hand knob that extends through the slot and communicates with a cylindrical rod to which a tamping plate is permenently attached. In operation, the soil coring device handle is rotated causing the cylindrical cutting tube to enter the soil to the predetermined depth, that has been preset by tightening the threaded locking knob into the short presetting locking cylinder, until ejection plate makes contact with the surface.

Abstract: A coring tine for use in a turf aerator and the like has an elongated generally tubular body having a core discharge end and a turf penetrating end. The turf penetrating end has a core gripping configuration which, in various embodiments, may take the form of an obround, longitudinal flutes, a generally frusto-conical wall having radially inwardly formed core retaining fingers, or a narrowed neck adapted to improve frictional engagement with a turf core and retain the core within the tine during retraction from a turf surface.

Abstract: A walk-behind turf aerating apparatus includes two pairs of tine arm assemblies, each assembly having a pair of vertically reciprocating tine arms for driving coring tines into the turf. A tine arm return mechanism includes a gear box for each pair of tine arms, the lower ends of the tine arms being connected to cranks extending from the gear box to reposition the tine arms prior to ground engagement. Stops are provided to limit the tine arm travel. A spring-loaded lifting mechanism permits manual shifting of the tine arm mechanism from a lowered ground-engaging position to a raised transport position. A belt drive with clutch and reduction drive for the wheels also drives the tine arm mechanism with automatic disengagement when the wheels are in the transport position. A handle assembly is connected to the apparatus frame through a pivotal connection including vibration damping elements for minimizing transmittal of vibrations, particularly in the vertical plane, to the handle.

Abstract: A soil sample extraction tool including a container having a soil sample receiving chamber, the chamber being accessible by an opening in the container. A first end of the container is engageable with the soil and allows passage of the soil sample to the chamber. A closure member or door is adjustably movable with respect to the opening in the container. A control member is operatively connected to the closure member and allows movement of the closure member with respect to the opening in the container to facilitate opening of the closure member to gain access to the sample receiving chamber.

Abstract: A putting cup hole digging machine is disclosed which comprises a main frame which has a fore and aft extent; a first mounting means for securing the main frame on a vehicle to permit the main frame to be vertically raised and lowered relative to the vehicle; and a first raise-lower means secured to the main frame for raising and lowering it relative to the vehicle. The machine also includes a subframe secured on the main frame by a second mounting means permitting pivotal movement of the subframe about a second horizontal axis and fore and aft movement of the subframe relative to the main frame; a cutter for cutting the cylindrical turf plug which is mounted on the subframe; and a third mounting means for securing the cutter on the subframe for vertical movement to raised and lowered positions relative to the subframe and for rotary movement relative to the subframe about a third axis. A second raise and lower means is provided to move the cutter between its raised and lowered positions.

Abstract: Rocker arms are mounted for pivoting at their centers about a vertical axis on a chassis with the pivot axis in line with a longitudinal slot through which a crank arm projects. The upper end of the crank arm is pivoted to a crank which upon rotation reciprocates the crank shaft vertically. One or more tines project downwardly from the bottom of the crank arm below the longitudinal slot in the chassis through which the lower end of the crank arm projects and within which the crank arm is permitted to oscillate fore and aft during movement of the aerating machine over the turf. A pair of connecting rods are pivotably mounted at one end to vertical studs fixedly mounted to the rocker arm to opposite sides of the vertical pivot axis of the rocker arm on the chassis. The opposite ends of the pair of connecting rods are pivotably coupled to laterally adjacent crank arms and the connecting rods are of equal length to cause the crank arms to oscillate 180.degree.

Abstract: A hand-operated lawn aerator which can be used to extract plugs of thatch and soil from a lawn. The device includes a long hollow tubular member having a cutting head at one end. The hollow tubular cutting head is driven into the ground with an operator's foot by placing weight on a foot support attached to the cutting head. A plunger disc attached to a rod within the tubular head is used to eject the thatch or core of earth from the interior of the cutting head when the cutting head is lifted from the ground. A first supple washer is provided on the plunger disc to move with the plunger disc to wipe against the inside of the hollow cutting head to wipe the inside surface clean. A second supple washer is fixedly positioned inside the tubular body and is positioned to seal the interior of the tubular body from mud and moisture when the cutting tool is used to cut a plug of soil.

Abstract: A turf coring tool includes a tubular cut out wall section turf coring tine having an upper tubular end for receiving force contained within a socket and having this upper end of the coring tine walls severed with an axial slit from the cut out area, allowing the slit walls to become flexible counter to the axis of the tine. A tube having elastic qualities is placed in the slit section and compressed by a washered screw wrenched into the socket base to allow the distortion of the inserted elastic tube to distort the flexible slit tine walls against the inner walls of the socket. The resultant pressure against the distorted tine walls will allow them to become bound in the socket. Wrenching to relieve the elastic compression will cause the tine to be free and released from socket.

Abstract: A core-type walk-behind aerator includes a chassis movable along a turf surface and having a tine wheel assembly rotatable about an axis transverse to the direction of movement of the aerator. The tine wheel assembly is positively driven by power means and carries a plurality of tubular coring tines selectively positioned about the periphery of the tine wheel such that the tines define forward rake angles. The number of tines, their rake angles, the diameter of the tine wheel assembly and weight of the aerator acting on the tine wheel assembly have predetermined relation so as to effect substantially axial penetration of said tines into the turf and substantially axial withdrawal of the tines from the same surface openings made upon penetration as the tine wheel undergoes rotation about an instant rotational center spaced below the surface of the turf. The tines continually compress the soil so as to remove cores of thatch and subsoil without lifting the turf peripherally of the openings made by the tines.

Abstract: A mobile machine for making holes in putting greens including a frame connected to a vehicle such as a mower, a cutter assembly mounted on a carriage slidably mounted on the frame for moving the cutter assembly in a vertical plane relative to the ground. The cutter assembly is freely pivoted to the carriage about orthogonal axes and a releasable lock mechanism is provided to hold the cutter assembly in a vertical orientation. A motor is mounted on the carriage for rotating the cutter, and the cutter assembly is detachably connected to the motor drive shaft so that the plug cut from the hole can be manually ejected into a previously formed hole where the cup has been removed. A depth gauge is provided between the frame and carriage indicating the depth of the cutter in the ground, and the carriage, lock mechanism and motor are hydraulically driven through a hydraulic circuit connected to the mower.

Abstract: A turf aerator includes a wheel-supported frame and drive means for propelling the frame across the ground at a predetermined rate. A pair of substantially vertical tine arms each having a plurality of downwardly directed turf coring tines attached to the lower end thereof are mounted on the frame for alternate penetrating engagement with the ground. A tine arm actuating mechanism produces an essentially elliptical movement of the upper end of each tine arm, the major axis of the elliptical movement being substantially vertical. A rocker mechanism indirectly connects the lower end of one tine arm with the lower end of the other tine arm such that the horizontal movement of one tine arm with respect to the frame upon engagement of that tine arm with the turf produces an equal and opposite horizontal movement of the other tine arm and vice versa. The aerator produces a substantially vertical insertion and withdrawal movement of the tines and a resultant minimal disturbance of the surrounding turf area.

Abstract: A turf aerator includes a wheel-supported frame and drive means for propelling the frame across the ground at a predetermined rate. A pair of substantially vertical tine arms each having a plurality of downwardly directed turf coring tines attached to the lower end thereof are mounted on the frame for alternate penetrating engagement with the ground. A tine arm actuating mechanism produces an essentially elliptical movement of the upper end of each tine arm, the major axis of the elliptical movement being substantially vertical. A rocker mechanism indirectly connects the lower end of one tine arm with the lower end of the other tine arm such that the horizontal movement of one tine arm with respect to the frame upon engagement of that tine arm with the turf produces an equal and opposite horizontal movement of the other tine arm and vice versa. The aerator produces a substantially vertical insertion and withdrawal movement of the tines and a resultant minimal disturbance of the surrounding turf area.

Abstract: A turf or soil aerating apparatus includes in one embodiment a carrier drum having a plurality of turf aerating tines pivotally supported thereon such that movement of the drum along a turf surface establishes a pattern of aerification holes in the turf. In one embodiment, a tubular coring tine is provided having a generally cylindrical elongated shank portion, a sharpened penetrating end and a bulb portion proximate the penetrating end, the bulb portion having an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the shank portion so as to substantially eliminate friction drag on the shank portion during turf penetration. The inner surface of the shank is sized to facilitate easy passage of turf plugs through the tine.

Abstract: A hollow tine for a self-propelled lawn aeration machine is formed by a U-shaped metal plate having a stud projecting internally of the plate and welded thereto at one end. The U-shaped metal plate has an oblique cutting edge at the end remote from the stud, includes side edges parallel to each other to define a narrow slot extending from the cutting edge to the stud. The cutters where the oblique cutting edges meet the side edges of the U-shaped metal plate are pinched in to reduce the cross-section of the hollow tine formed thereby to facilitate the release of a plug cut from the turf during penetration of the tine into the turf.

Abstract: A turf aerating machine including a plurality of tyne arms, having tynes attached to their lower ends, and extending substantially vertically downwardly from the cranks of a crankshaft located transversely of the direction of travel of the aerator. A drive linkage connects the crankshaft to the power take-off of the tractor or other power source and is driven such that, as the aerator is moved forward, the crankshaft moves with the lower arc of its rotation in the rearward direction. The tyne arms are projected into the ground as the respective crank moves through its lower arc and they are lifted clear of the ground as the crank moves through the upper arc of its travel. While the tynes are engaged with the ground, the tyne arm is maintained in a substantially vertical orientation by the rearward motion of the respective crank through the lower arc of its rotation.

Abstract: A turf aerator includes a wheel-supported frame and drive means for propelling the frame across the ground at a predetermined rate. A pair of substantially vertical tine arms each having a plurality of downwardly directed turf coring tines attached to the lower end thereof are mounted on the frame for alternate penetrating engagement with the ground. A tine arm actuating mechanism produces an essentially elliptical movement of the upper end of each tine arm, the major axis of the elliptical movement being substantially vertical. A rocker mechanism indirectly connects the lower end of one tine arm with the lower end of the other tine arm such that the horizontal movement of one tine arm with respect to the frame upon engagement of that tine arm with the turf produces an equal and opposite horizontal movement of the other tine arm and vice versa. The aerator produces a substantially vertical insertion and withdrawal movement of the tines and a resultant minimal disturbance of the surrounding turf area.

Abstract: A tine holder for turf aerating equipment includes a horizontal tine arm having a plurality of spaced apertures therein corresponding to mounting positions of the coring tines. The hollow tines are outwardly tapered at their upper ends and the apertures in the tine arm are of a diameter equal to the inner diameter of the upper ends of the tines. A tine holding bar disposed beneath the tine arm is provided with tapered apertures aligned with the apertures in the tine arm. The taper of the bar apertures corresponds to the taper of the tine upper end and permits the seating of the coring tines in the apertures with a small portion of each tine extending thereabove. A plurality of bolts passing through aligned bolt holes in the tine arm and tine holding bar permit a clamping of the tines against the tine arm in alignment with the tine arm apertures.

Abstract: The specification discloses a soil plugging and ejecting apparatus for being inserted into soil to form and remove a soil plug and for ejecting the plug. The apparatus includes an elongate tubular body having a cutting edge on its lower end for piercing the soil to form a plug. A step attached to the body receives downward pressure to force the apparatus into the soil and a grip attached to the upper end of the body provides a means for holding and guiding the apparatus, and for pulling it out of the soil after the plug is formed. A valve mounted on the apparatus is in fluid-flow communication with a source of pressurized fluid and the body, and is operable to selectively admit pressurized fluid into the body to eject a plug from the lower end of the body. The valve can be actuated by a handle or a button.

Abstract: A self-propelled lawn aerating machine includes a plurality of generally vertically reciprocally movable tines operated by a cam shaft for removing plugs of soil from a lawn. The tines are spring biased upwardly and in forward direction toward a bumper board located forward of the tines. When withdrawn from the lawn the tines strike the bumper board with sufficient force to break the soil plugs and cause the resulting loose soil to be scattered over the surface of the lawn as the machine moves along an aerating path. The bumper board has a raised position wherein it supports the tines in an idling position above the surface of the ground while the machine is moved across walkways, driveway, and the like.